Mounting arrangement and support stand for print feed mechanisms

Abstract

A mounting arrangement and/or stand for supporting a print feed mechanism relative to a printer. The mounting arrangement includes first and second support members defining first and second mating surfaces, respectively. The first support member is adapted to support the print feed mechanism and the second support member is adapted to support the first support member. Furthermore, the first and second mating surfaces define a mating interface or plane which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane. The relative position of the first and second support members is maintained by a means for coupling the first and second segments along the inclined mating plane. The coupling means is, furthermore, operative to selectively position the first support member relative to the second support member so as to separate the print feed mechanism segment from the printer by a fixed separation distance. The selected separation distance accommodates print media which varies in length while the inclined mating plane maintains the inclination angle of the print media at any selected separation distance.

1. A stand for supporting a print feed mechanism relative to a printer, the print feed mechanism delivering print media to the printer, the stand comprising;
 a first segment defining a first mating surface and adapted to support the print feed mechanism; 
 a second segment defining a second mating surface and adapted to support the first segment; 
 the first and second mating surfaces defining a mating interface which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane; and 
 a mechanical interlock coupling the first and second segments along the inclined mating interface and operative to selectively position the first segment relative to the second segment so as to separate the first segment from the printer by a fixed separation distance; 
 wherein the selected separation distance accommodates print media which varies in length and the inclined mating interface maintains the inclination angle of the print media at any selected separation distance. 
 
   
   
     2. The stand according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second segments define stand and feeder support surfaces, respectively, and wherein the support surfaces lie in a substantially horizontal plane. 
   
   
     3. The stand according to  claim 1  wherein the print feed mechanism includes a print media support surface defining an inclination angle, and wherein the inclined mating interface is substantially parallel to the inclination angle. 
   
   
     4. The stand according to  claim 1  further comprising a media guide detachably mounting to the printer proximal to the entrance portal for accepting print media and defining a guide surface extending outwardly from the printer to guide print media to the entrance portal. 
   
   
     5. The stand according to  claim 1  wherein the second segment defines a vertical registration surface for abutting a vertical wall of the printer, the registration surface, in combination with the printer wall, operative to accurately position the print feed mechanism relative to the printer. 
   
   
     6. The stand according to  claim 1  wherein the second segment defines a alignment tongue protruding from a forward end thereof to engage a slot-shaped opening in the printer and operative to maintain lateral alignment of the print feed mechanism relative to the printer. 
   
   
     7. The stand according to  claim 1  wherein the printer is supported by feet disposed along an underside surface of the printer, wherein at least one pair of feet define a feet separation distance therebetween and wherein the alignment tongue defines a width dimension substantially equal to the feet separation distance such that the alignment tongue engages the feet to maintain lateral alignment of the print feed mechanism. 
   
   
     8. The stand according to  claim 1  wherein the mechanical interlock includes a pair of mounting pins protruding orthogonally from one of the first and second mating surfaces and a plurality of aligned apertures formed in the other one of the first and second mating surfaces, and wherein the pair of mounting pins engage the aligned apertures to align and position the first and second segments along the mating interface. 
   
   
     9. The stand according to  claim 1  further comprising alignment indicia disposed along the mating interface of the first and second segments, the alignment indicia operative to provide a visual cue to an operator concerning the relative position of the segments when feeding print media of a predetermined size to the printer. 
   
   
     10. The stand according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of suction cups disposed along an underside surface of the first segment for securing the position of the stand relative to the underlying support structure. 
   
   
     11. An adjustable mounting arrangement for a print feed mechanism comprising;
 a first support member defining a first mating surface and adapted to support the print feed mechanism; 
 a second support member defining a second mating surface and adapted to support the first support member; 
 the first and second support members mating along a plane which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane; and 
 a means for coupling the first and second support members along the inclined plane and selectively positioning the first and second support members to separate the print feed mechanism from a printer by a fixed separation distance. 
 
   
   
     12. The adjustable mounting arrangement according to  claim 11  wherein the print feed mechanism includes a print media support surface defining an inclination angle, and wherein the inclined plane is substantially parallel to the inclination angle. 
   
   
     13. The adjustable mounting arrangement according to  claim 11  wherein the coupling means includes a pair of mounting pins protruding orthogonally from one of the first and second mating surfaces and a plurality of aligned apertures formed in the other one of the first and second mating surfaces, and wherein the pair of mounting pins engage a pair of aligned apertures to align and position the first and second support members along the inclined plane. 
   
   
     14. The adjustable mounting arrangement according to  claim 11  further comprising alignment indicia disposed along the mating surfaces of the first and second support members, the alignment indicia operative to provide a visual cue to an operator concerning the relative position of the mounting structures when feeding print media of a predetermined size to the printer. 
   
   
     15. A structural interface for supporting a print feed mechanism relative to a printer and accommodating print media of variable length, the structural interface comprising:
 a first support member defining a first mating surface and adapted to support the print feed mechanism; 
 a second support member defining a second mating surface and adapted to support the first support member; 
 the first and second support members detachably mating along a plane which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane; 
 a mechanical interlock coupling the first and second support members along the inclined mating plane and operative to selectively position the first support member relative to the second support member to separate the first support member from the printer by a fixed separation distance; and 
 a media guide detachably mounting to the printer proximal to a entrance portal for accepting print media and defining a guide surface extending outwardly from the printer, 
 wherein the selected separation distance accommodates print media which varies in length, the inclined mating interface maintains the inclination angle of the print media at any selected separation distance, and the media guide is operative to guide oversized print media to the entrance portal. 
 
   
   
     16. The structural interface according to  claim 15  wherein the print feed mechanism includes a print media support surface defining an inclination angle, and wherein the inclined plane is substantially parallel to the inclination angle. 
   
   
     17. The structural interface according to  claim 15  wherein the second support member defines a vertical registration surface for abutting a vertical wall of the printer, the registration surface, in combination with the printer wall, operative to accurately position the print feed mechanism relative to the printer. 
   
   
     18. The structural interface according to  claim 15  wherein the second support member defines an alignment tongue protruding from a forward end thereof to engage a slot-shaped opening of the printer and operative to maintain lateral alignment of the print feed mechanism relative to the printer. 
   
   
     19. The structural interface according to  claim 18  wherein the printer is supported by feet disposed along an underside surface thereof, wherein at least one pair of feet define a feet separation distance therebetween and wherein the alignment tongue defines a width dimension substantially equal to the feet separation distance such that the alignment tongue engages the feet to maintain lateral alignment of the print feed mechanism. 
   
   
     20. The structural interface according to  claim 15  wherein the mechanical interlock includes a pair of mounting pins protruding orthogonally from one of the first and second mating surfaces and a plurality of aligned apertures formed in the other one of the first and second mating surfaces, and wherein the pair of mounting pins engage a pair of aligned apertures to align and position the first and second support members along the mating interface. 
   
   
     21. The structural interface according to  claim 15  further comprising alignment indicia disposed along the mating interface of the first and second support members, the alignment indicia operative to provide a visual cue to an operator concerning the relative position of the support members when feeding print media of a predetermined size to the printer.